Fansided

2019 NFL power rankings, Week 11: Steelers jumping, Chiefs slumping

By Russell S. Baxter

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders breaks free to score on an 18-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 26-24. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders breaks free to score on an 18-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 26-24. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 16
Next
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 10: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hauls in a pass from Jameis Winston #3 during the game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 10, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 10: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hauls in a pass from Jameis Winston #3 during the game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 10, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /

. 3-6. Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 22. team. 48

Recap: The team’s losing streak had reached four games before Bruce Arians’ team hosted the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Tampa’s defensive unit has struggled mightily after a respectable start this season. Now Todd Bowles’ unit would have to deal with rookie quarterback Kyler Murray, who would throw for 324 yards and three scores against Bowles’ unit. But the Bucs did come up with a couple of key takeaways. And while much-maligned signal-caller Jameis Winston was picked off twice and sacked on four occasions, he also threw for 358 yards and a score to tight end O.J. Howard. The Bucs held the Cardinals to 75 yards rushing and won at home for the first time in ’19.

Next Week: Back in Week 5 at in the Crescent City, Arians’ defense couldn’t slow down quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and a Saints’ offense that rolled up 457 total yards. Now the Buccaneers looks to rebound from that 31-24 loss and avoid being swept in this always-interesting NFC South rivalry for the first time since 2014.

Playoff hopes: It was an interesting day in the NFC South as the first-place New Orleans Saints took it on the chin in their own building. Now Arians’ team hosts the divisional leaders with a chance to start the slow climb back to playoff contention. Can the Tampa Bay defense rise up for a second straight week? The season may ride on it.

57. . 4-5. Previous: . Chicago Bears. 21. team

Recap: A season ago, Matt Nagy’s club finished 12-4 and won the NFC North. On Sunday, the Bears took a four-game losing streak into their first meeting of the season with the visiting Detroit Lions. Third-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky has been the subject of much scrutiny for most of the season and once again the Chicago offense struggled in the first half. But late in the second quarter, he would throw the first of his three touchdown passes in the game. The third-year quarterback finished with just 173 yards through the air and was sacked a total of five times. But the Bears did not commit a turnover and held off the Lions in the waning moments of the game.

Next Week: For the second consecutive season, the Bears and Rams will square off on a Sunday night. This time around, the game is in Los Angeles as these clubs meet for the third time in five years. Chicago came away with a 15-6 prime time win a year ago (Week 14) and have prevailed in six of the last seven meetings dating back to 2006.

Playoff hopes: It was another ugly first half for Nagy’s team until the offense awoke late in the second quarter. It wasn’t much but it was enough for the Bears to hold off the limited Lions and snap their own four-game skid. It also enabled Chicago to raise its record vs. the division to 2-1. The NFC North title chase remains very wide open.

Next: Nos. 20 and 19

Home/NFL Power Rankings